Supporters turn to Facebook to help Flat Rock Playhouse

A Facebook group set up Thursday as a rallying cry to save the financially struggling Flat Rock Playhouse has created a flurry of energy and support for the theater.

By Beth Beasley Times-News correspondent

A Facebook group set up Thursday as a rallying cry to save the financially struggling Flat Rock Playhouse has created a flurry of energy and support for the theater. Dozens of comments were posted on the “Save the Playhouse!!!!” Facebook page in the first 24 hours, and three fundraising concerts have already been organized. “Within four hours we had over a thousand hits,” says Bill Munoz, Playhouse production manager. “Now there are over 1,500 members.”At a meeting at the Playhouse Friday, Munoz said plans are coming together for a Dec. 11 fundraising concert on the theater's Mainstage, inspired by ideas and comments posted on the page. “We've had posts from Vagabonds around the country that said they'd do anything to help,” Munoz said. “We do regular annual summer fundraisers, but this one is so important, because we're under so much financial stress.”Theater officials hope to raise $250,000 before the end of the year in order to meet immediate payroll and operating expenses. The creation of the Facebook group comes on the heels of a meeting with stakeholders Tuesday in an attempt to raise funds needed to keep the nonprofit theater organization afloat.The Dec. 11 fundraiser, which has been dubbed “For the Rock,” is planned to be one of three concurrent concerts, held in Flat Rock, New York and at Elon University.“We're planning to get them in sync with us, we may even Skype,” Munoz said of the Mainstage performance in Flat Rock.A flurry of social media brainstorming led to the quick planning of the Dec. 11 events, described in a comment by Playhouse Company Manager Preston Dyar as “an Emergency Grassroots Dark Night.”Suggestions for fundraising, surprise at the urgency of the plea for help, and affirmations of support have come from New York, Seattle, Hong Kong, Los Angeles and other locations.“Saddened by the news but energized by the Flat Rock family!” one person from overseas said in a post. Many sentiments along the line of “Once a Vagabond, always a Vagabond” were posted, as well as an excerpt from scenic designer Dennis Maulden's “It Seems Like I've Grown Up Here,” posted by Development Director Lynn Llewelyn Penny. “It's very thrilling to see how many Vagabonds and people with a passion for the arts the Playhouse has had an impact on,” said Penny. “This place is an institution, a regional gem, and one of the top professional theater companies in the country — we don't want to be a statistic in this bad economy.”Penny recognizes that the solution lies beyond the community, and the Facebook group affirms this.“It's such a statement on the depth and the breadth of the magnitude of the Playhouse community,” Penny said. “These are people from every single facet of the Playhouse saying, ‘What can I do? This place is so important.'”Munoz said the idea to start the Facebook group came from scenic artist Katie Mooney, who started at the Playhouse as an intern last year.Initially, suggestions on the group page leaned toward using fundraising sites such as Kickstarter and Smallknot, but the conversation soon led to the live concert idea.Playhouse veteran actor Barbara Bradshaw suggested tapping into the list of Playhouse alumni formed for the 60th anniversary of the State Theatre of North Carolina.Former apprentice Patrick Clanton had suggested Elon University do something to raise funds, since “FRP has given so much to Elon students over the years.” Clanton also wrote that he would even perform a “one man Hairspray” for the cause.The many artists currently working in New York with ties to the Playhouse and YouTheatre may be a valuable resource for the Playhouse. Offers to organize, play music and be supportive in any way possible have come through the group's page.Munoz said the ticket price for the Dec. 11 concert will be kept at about $25, although larger donations are greatly appreciated.“We want to make this a fun event,” he said. “The community has already given so much.”Munoz noted that unlike the traditional Dark Night Revue fundraiser, the event will not be catered, “just a show.” YouTheatre students would most likely be included in the performances, he added.For more information about the Playhouse or to make a donation, visit www.flatrockplayhouse.org/supportfrp/.